Disparities, ambiguities looms over ban on plastics

The measure for the prohibition of non-biodegradable plastic packaging of low density, less than 60 microns thick, is facing 'inconsistencies, ambiguities and even contradictions between the texts', according to the Cameroonian Association of the plastics industry professionals (AC2P).

During the checks, the quality of the tools used by officers of the operation, as well as their manipulation is unreliable. Worse still, these controls seem to be uncannily operations commandos ', repression being more active in business and other production units on the markets.

In General, indicated the AC2P, the willingness of businesses to comply with the new regulations is facing many impasses. Thus, the application of the new regulation translated eviction of local production in favour of Nigerian and Asian imports, controls in the markets seems totally ineffective and they remain inundated by packages whose marketing is prohibited.

For producers, the dynamics observed since 2004 in the Cameroonian plastics sector, which had gradually conquered market shares, abruptly reversed itself since the entry into force of the regulations.

At the same time, imports, although not regulations with regard to the legislation in force, proliferate again to the dismay of industry and local jobs.

"The final objective of preservation of the environment thus remains an illusion, and individual waste management by each operator imposed by regulation is unrealistic on a practical level."

Faced with the peril of the sector, AC2P, with the support of GICAM, just established a reflection group with a mission to consolidate the proposals emanating from the enterprises to make a prepared document, as a prelude to the consultations with Governments.